KARACHI, June 26: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and MMA Secretary-General Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who arrived in Karachi on Saturday evening by a PIA flight, was sent back to Islamabad on board an Aero Asia flight.

Maulana Fazl had arrived in Karachi by PK-369 at around 7:50pm in defiance of a ban the government of Sindh had imposed on the entry of some MMA leaders into the province. He was sent back within one-and-a-half hours of his landing.

Sources said a ticket was purchased from a private airline counter for Maulana Fazl for an immediate journey to Lahore, but upon his insistence he was allowed to board a flight to Islamabad.

The opposition leader had come to Karachi to lead a peace march the MMA plans to hold in the city on Sunday.

Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim had told reporters on Friday that he would not allow any party, including the ruling PML, to take out any rally in the city.

In a brief talk with newsmen over cellular phone before his return to Islamabad, Maulana Fazl said that the government was out to sabotage the MMA's peace efforts but, he added, the people of Karachi and Sindh would demonstrate solidarity on the issue and attend the Sunday's rally.

Referring to the ban, he said the government's action was based on assumptions.

"Despite the undemocratic measures taken by the government, our struggle for peace and supremacy of constitution will continue," he announced.

A leader of the JUI-S and an MNA from Karachi, Qari Gul Rahman, who accompanied Maulana Fazl, was allowed to come out of the airport.

Qari Rahman said that the police surrounded Maulana Fazl as soon as he alighted from the aircraft and took him to a van waiting on the tarmac. Police showed a paper to Maulana Fazl which he did not receive or sign, he added. Outside the airport building, heavy contingents of police were deployed.

Thousand of the MMA supporters as well as local party leaders had also gathered outside the airport to receive Maulana Fazl.

A couple of the MMA legislators tried to enter the passengers' lounge but were stopped by the Airport Security Force personnel.